Science and Innovation Minister, Steven Joyce, has confirmed that the wine research institute is part of an initiative by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to support innovation in the regions.

“The new institute will provide cutting-edge science, research and development to benefit the entire industry and its key stakeholders,” says Steve Green, New Zealand Winegrowers Chair. “Although the institute will be based in Marlborough, the research will have a national focus. Its reach will be global, providing world-leading research for commercial grape and wine production and positioning the hugely successful wine industry for future growth.”

In June this year, Marlborough District Council voted unanimous support for the regional research institute and agreed to set aside $75,000 this year and a further $150,000 in co-funding each year from 2017 to 2022.